FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – Josh Beckett was sharp against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Red Sox ace allowed four hits in five innings Sunday, leading Boston to a 3-0 victory over the World Series champions.

“They have a really good team. I kind of compare them to us,” Beckett said. “There’s not a whole lot of guys that end up making that team that probably couldn’t start every day for a lot of other teams, including their bench guys. And that’s kind of the way it is here and a few other organizations.”

Beckett threw 45 of 75 pitches for strikes. He is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in five spring training games.

“They made him work, and I think Ryan Howard in his first two at-bats saw 22, 23 pitches,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “His fastball was crisp. There’s still some time when he’s leaking a bit. But a solid effort against a pretty good lineup and some dangerous hitters.”

Phillies starter Brett Myers allowed two runs, five hits and five walks in five innings.

“Brett kind of started off slow, stayed in there, battled and gave us a chance to win the game,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “He wasn’t very happy with what he did, but he kept us in the game. He did fine.”

Myers is 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA this spring training.

“I felt fine,” Myers said. “Just got to get ahead of guys a little quicker. Falling behind is not a good way to pitch. During the season, every time I go out there I’m not going to feel 100 percent. I’m going to have to pitch. Today was one of those days. I know I didn’t have my best stuff today. I was able to minimize damage as much as possible.”

Jacoby Ellsbury led off the first with a groundout on an 11-pitch at-bat, and Mike Lowell hit a two-run homer later in the inning.

Beckett walked Ryan Howard on 12 pitches in the fourth.

“He worked the count and did a good job,” Manuel said. “He’s starting to see the ball real good. He’s bearing down and determined to put the ball in play.”

Lowell, recovering from October hip surgery, is to play Monday against Detroit – his first games on consecutive days this spring. He is to take Tuesday off and play Wednesday.

“He’s swinging the bat really well,” Francona said. “And he didn’t forget how to field the ball either.”

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, rehabbing a lower left abdominal strain sustained while playing for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, was 2-for-3 with a double.

“For him to get a couple of at-bats and come out and maybe play two out of three days is probably what he needs to get ready,” Francona said.

Notes: RF J.D. Drew, who left Friday’s game against the Pirates after being hit on his right hand by a pitch from Donnie Veal, had treatment. “I think he’s still probably a couple of days away,” Francona said. “I think the goal will, hopefully, be to play him Wednesday, with the day off the next day.”

really well,” Francona said. “And he didn’t forget how to field the ball either. … That’s good to see.” … RHP Brad Penny, limited to 19 games last season because of an injured shoulder, is to pitch his first “A” game Monday against Detroit. He was expected to throw three innings and approximately 45 pitches. … RHP John Smoltz, who had surgery June 10 to repair shoulder labrum damage, is expected to have his first bullpen session Wednesday.

AP-ES-03-22-09 1756EDT


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